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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Mr Skrunts on 20 July 2009, 23:28:44

Title: Web Site Design - Where To Start
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 20 July 2009, 23:28:44
As the title says really.  I never took an interest in it when I had the chance and oh boy do i tegret it now, same with programming and touch typing.  you just never know what the future brings.

Anyway, i have a lot of spare time during periods of illness which sadly keeps me laid up in bed, so its about time to get back on the learning curve again.

But where do I start, do I get a basic program or learn the profesional way (Which I am sure someone will tell me)

I have learnt nearly everything I know so far regards computers all on my own, so maybe its time to branch out a bit and start putting them to good use.

TIA. :y :y
Title: Re: Web Site Design - Where To Start
Post by: Ghost on 21 July 2009, 00:01:05
Try your local Collage for distance learning corses mate.
I'm doing a distance learning corse at the mo.
My first exam is the Comptia A+ Tech.
 when I'm finished in about two years I Should then be A microsoft certified systems engineer advanced networking specialist  :-/
Title: Re: Web Site Design - Where To Start
Post by: Ian_D on 21 July 2009, 00:38:31
All you need is a basic program.... very basic... its called 'notepad'  ;D

Learn the basic HTML code. Loads of guides on the internet.

Biggest problem with WYSIWYG software, is they tend to make a complete balls up with the code.. IE the code for a simple page created in notpad could be a couple of pages long, whereas the same page created in something bad like frontpage, could be half a dozen pages if not more! :o
Title: Re: Web Site Design - Where To Start
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 21 July 2009, 01:04:34
Quote
All you need is a basic program.... very basic... its called 'notepad'  ;D

Learn the basic HTML code. Loads of guides on the internet.

Biggest problem with WYSIWYG software, is they tend to make a complete balls up with the code.. IE the code for a simple page created in notpad could be a couple of pages long, whereas the same page created in something bad like frontpage, could be half a dozen pages if not more! :o

I reckon thats the way i want to go then.

I just need to find a sheet full of code/commands I can print on A4 for reference then.

Any advice on how to upload to start a web page, or rather where  (what) to put to learn how to upload pages.  I know it sounds daft, but most sites seem to think you know the basics, when in fact we dont, which in turn is why we numpty's dont ask questions because we feel totally stupid. :-/
Title: Re: Web Site Design - Where To Start
Post by: Plomien on 21 July 2009, 08:23:19
use microsoft front page for basic setup then add extra bits as you want to in html
Title: Re: Web Site Design - Where To Start
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 21 July 2009, 09:51:48
for learning basic html :

an xp machine with IIS service installed (also frontpage server extensions option checked) and a notepad is enough.. However as the pages gets complicated notepad becomes a problem..

frontpage is more (comes with ms office) suitable for a beginner..

the next step us using Adobe dreamweaver..(dreamweaver has also interesting components)

but if you are going to write some serious applications working on web :

you have to consider writing asp script either with vbscript or javascript..

also for designing and editing pictures and images photoshop must be handy..
Title: Re: Web Site Design - Where To Start
Post by: Chris_H on 21 July 2009, 11:10:09
As has been said, you can write web pages with notepad but it soon gets tedious.

You can view other people's web pages by right-clicking in your browser and selecting "view source" (or similar) although you could do with finding some simple sites or it will baffle you.

"Getting Started with HTML" at www.w3.org will give you a freebie insight into the code content and pointers to other info.

You don't need a web server (IIS or Apache etc) to play.  You can create the pages on your C: drive and point your browser at them.

There is a lot to learn and it's a moving target.

As for publishing to the web, the best way forward is to buy a hosting package from a provider such as www.Zen.co.uk or www.names.co.uk to name a couple.  They will then give you a username and password and location to transfer your files to using FTP.  This can be done with Windows Explorer if you use that.  Your current email provider might be able to extend your service to include hosting and a domain name.

All the best.
Title: Re: Web Site Design - Where To Start
Post by: sev on 21 July 2009, 12:14:15
I'd just save yourself the bother and go straight for dreamweaver.

WYSIWYG editors like this have come a long way, and dreamweaver will let you do both, edit code or through just slapping stuff on screen - and it will run compatibility checks in all your browsers for you.

As others have said, go to the college for some basics of HTML, but sooner or later you'll need an editor of some sort, and there's no point looking at anything else other than Dreamweaver.

Also, it's owned by adobe now so it integrates with photoshop seamlessly.

For a more personal self study level I'v found books published by 'friends of ed' to be fun and easy to absorb - they teach you in a case study fashion and the text is more of a discussion of why you are doing it rather than 'now click this'.

Also a program such as dreamweaver will have facility to streamline your code, and also include ftp clients to upload your pages and tools to manage interactions with servers and databases all built in.
Title: Re: Web Site Design - Where To Start
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 21 July 2009, 12:52:14
All interesting stuff,I did actually stumble onto the W3 site last night so will take some time out over the weekend to have a look.

Cheers for all the advice, very much appreciated. :y :y
Title: Re: Web Site Design - Where To Start
Post by: TheBoy on 21 July 2009, 16:50:08
good site called something like w3 schools. Start there.

Do some very basic pages initially, learning the html.

Then learn CSS, and get in the habit of making all styling via CSS rather than hard coding into html.


Then you can start looking into other directions, such as dynamic page generation and so on.